June 23, 2025 • 59 mins
Episode Notes My guests include Memphis NAACP Chapter President Kermit Moore. Last week, a lawsuit was filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the NAACP to xAI signaling their intent to sue over the company’s continued use of unpermitted gas turbines at its data center in South Memphis. He explains why this issue has become so important to our community. Next, the Immigration issue continues to be front and center across this country as fears continue to mount for so many. Immigration attorney Lily Axelrod joins to give us the latest updates and why this population of people should stay vigilant. Agape Child & Family Services’ Becoming ONE program is set to provide married couples, single individuals and fathers with relationship-building tools through three upcoming free workshops this week. This program provides training through workshops, couple support. Jim Harbin, Jr. is the program coordinator will explain why this might be something you may not want to miss. That and more on air and online Monday, 6 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also, the WYXR app, Tunein, YouTube and Facebook Live. It’s time to talk!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Main Chip washing it when it comes to information. The
main guy an us little bring you up to speed
what you need.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
He's a go and na should.
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White who feed? And that's told about it.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Ho died.
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I have to do something about it.
Speaker 4 (00:12):
And ship's got to.
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Throw wide open and you've got.
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Questions about it.
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It's main It's the show that brings into your raw
to solve all probins.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
It starts Real Talk. He talks. It's real cold, it's
real tone. It's real cop.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
It's real.
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It's real cold, it's real col it's free coat. It's real.
It's real talk. It's real toe, it's real talk. It's real.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
It's real talk.
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It's real talk.
Speaker 5 (00:40):
Jail, Welcome to Real Tor, Real.
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Host Chima washing him white young like.
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It's a real talk. It's a real talking, it's real cop.
(01:13):
And here we go. Here we go on this Monday evening. Yes,
ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who have been
waiting anxiously for summer, my first question to you is
why anyway. It is sometime in the city and it's
six o'clock straight up, which means it's time for an
all new and live edition of Real Talk Memphis. Right
(01:33):
here on WXR ninety one point seven on your FM dial.
I am your humble host. My name is Chip Washington.
As the theme said, and it's great to be here.
Traffic wasn't bad getting down here today. It's a rare occurrence.
But very happy to be here on this very hot, hot,
hot this afternoon afternoon. When I got out of the car,
(01:55):
it said ninety four degrees and the heat index is
Willow is over one hundred degrees right now. So again
on the serious note, please please, please, please, man, please sir,
watch out for this heat because it doesn't take long
for it to do bad things to your body. Stay hydrated,
Drink plenty of water. You know when you say fluids
and people will you know, take that to be very literal.
(02:18):
Some folks, I'm not looking at you, lolo, I am not.
I'm just saying we drink plenty of water out there,
and stay hydrated, ladies and gentlemen, because we don't want
anything to happen to you. Check on your elderly folks,
to check on the seniors, make sure that they okay,
what'd you say in my pets? Oh yes, in the pasts,
Absolutely yes, she's absolutely right. Check on your pets as well.
(02:40):
So there you go, there you go. We have a
great show for you lined up this evening. I hope
that whatever you do, you did all your business outside.
You're coming inside, cool, relaxed, and you know, hang out
with us for the next hour. I think you might
enjoy the broadcast. By the way, speaking of heat, the
cooling centers are open, so for those of you who
(03:00):
need the cool lound and don't have that option where
you live or wherever, go to the cooling center. They
are open and available for you. You can get this
nice piece of radio broadcasting wherever. We're in several locations.
Actually I mentioned one Live now ninety one point seven
FM on your radio dial. You can also catch us
(03:22):
on the wy x R app. You can also find
us on the tune in app. And we are live
streaming tonight on Facebook Live. So if that's your thing,
head over to my page and you can check out
the show live when the show post in the next
day or so. You can find us a little bit
later on this week on YouTube. And did you know
(03:45):
we're a podcast where we are a podcast and you
can find us after the show post wherever it is.
You get your podcast. You know, I'm looking at myself
right now on the screen, and I look dark. I
look like I got a tanner. So do I look
dark to you?
Speaker 6 (03:57):
Long?
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Do I look like a Maybe it's just a screen. Okay,
just a little bit, just a little ten. You got
ten too, Arizona. Lola was in Arizona last week. She
said it was one hundred and thirteen degrees outside for
a concert. But you know, is there any consolations in
saying it's a dry heat? Probably not? Yeah, they did, really,
(04:19):
it didn't really register anyway. I am glad that you
have you all along for the ride this evening. Who
do we have? I'm glad you asked that question. Well,
my first guest in just a couple of minutes is
Kermit Moore. Kermit is the Memphis Chapter Area director, not
director president of the National Association of Colored People or
(04:41):
in DOUBACP. He will be joining me and just a
few minutes, along with Ibrey Connor, who is an attorney.
There was a lawsuit that was talked about about a
week or so ago, levied at the Xai Folks on
behalf of the ACP, in reference to, of course, this
(05:03):
project that a lot of folks had lots of questions
about serious questions and really doubts about as well. So
he's going to come on and talk to us a
little bit about the action of the NAACP and what
they are hoping to gain from all of this. A
little bit later on. Another issue that is still high
button around with everything else going on in this country,
immigration is still pretty close to the top, and a
(05:26):
lot of folks are very concerned about, you know, their
own safety and their own welfare and you know, somebody
pulling up on them and grabbing them and putting them
in a van and taking them god knows where. So
I wanted to get an update on that. Lily Axelrod
never been on the show before. She is an immigration attorney.
She will be talking with us about this current situation
(05:48):
and what folks need to know and be prepared for
a little bit later on in the show, we are
going to be talking with Reverend Jim Harbin Junior. He's
the program director over a program that a GOATPE you
all know GOTPE, the Children and Family Services Organization. They're
going to be hosting a series of workshops this week
(06:10):
for single folks, for married folks, and for men and
or fathers, and they're going to be free sessions. We
need a lot of help in the family department in
a lot of different ways. So he's going to talk
with us about these free sessions that are going to
be happening sponsored by a got by Children and Family
Services coming up this weekend. So there you go, we
(06:32):
have all of that to talk about. But before we
do that, you know, June is a big birthday month
and a lot of folks had birthdays today, So let's
get to the roll call. But I can't do that
until I say hit it, Lolan, all right, here we go,
Here we go, Here we go, lead us mcculof Seleitski,
I know her. Happy birthday, Leader Brenda Dickerson celebrating her
(06:56):
birthday today. Happy birthday to time, Peace to Robert mckuman,
Happy birthday going out to Rodney Moore Senior. Beryl Wait
celebrating her birthday today. Jason Copacco Copacco, excuse me celebrating
his birthday. Happy birthday to on Rtta. I don't think
(07:19):
I typed up and brought's names, so actually I don't know.
Move on, uh, Doris Martinez, Happy birthday to you and
happy Birthday to Wayne Schneider. You got one, lolo, you
have one one.
Speaker 7 (07:33):
Happy Birthday to Frankie Anderson, Happy.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
Birthday, Boss, Big like your boss.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
I do gig over at one eleven from time to
time shout out one eleven Madison and mister Frankie and
listen to the big five.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Oh oh oh, there you go, then six we deal.
Happy birthday, Frankie, and happy birthday Dac and every one
of you out there celebrating on this day. I hope
it's been filled with love and fun and laughter, and
of course we hope to be around next year for
your next trip around the sun. Thanks loving. So many
(08:09):
people are still talking about the death of the founder
of FedEx. Fred Smith, died a Saturday evening at the
age of eighty. Of course that he was the founder
of FedEx, as we all know it. So many people
in this city at one point or another worked at FedEx,
(08:31):
you know, whether it was you know, loading the trucks
or any other various number of positions. He was, by
all means, as the paper said, a great memphi, and
he was a very important person, and he was very
selfless in what he did for this community. He loved Memphis,
and he loved to see Memphis thrive. And you know,
(08:54):
he gave, he contributed to so many. He contributed, you know, financially,
in a lot of other ways. And it's a big
loss for a lot of folks. There have been a
lot of tributes that have occurred as a result of
all of that. And yeah, it's a sad loss for
a lot of folks. He was eighty years old, and again,
(09:18):
FedEx will move on, but it has left his mark,
not only here domestically, but worldwide. So again, our deepest
condolences to all of those who knew mister Fritz Smith
and all of course his family members and friends and colleagues,
so many who are dealing with that loss. Today. A
quick look at news and notes, President Trump of course
(09:41):
dropped three bunker bombs over the weekend on military sites
in Iran. You know, Iran has been in a big
war with going back and forth with Israel. Well, he
dropped three of these bunker bombs Saturday night, which kind
of put us in the middle of all of this.
We saw today that Iran fired about ten to twelve
(10:04):
missiles in a Cutter which is an American base in Cutter.
They were fired upon this afternoon or I don't know,
there are several hours ahead of us there, but there
were no casualties on either side, so we will see
exactly what happened. I did see a news flash this
afternoon according to President Trump that Israel and Iran have
(10:28):
agreed to a ceasefire. So if that is the case,
of course that is good news. But we'll have to
keep a watching on this very very carefully to see
what happens. This is something that is related to related
to what we're going to be talking about with Kermit
soon and this has to do with Xai. Mayor Lee
(10:51):
Harris named two nominees for the Air Pollution Control Board today.
Keishn Pearson, who has been again on this show, uh
and Sarah Houston, who is just a guest on this
show We Could So Go, are named. He's been nominated
by the mayor to be on the Air Pollution Control Board,
(11:13):
which I think has something to do with the Chelby
County Health Department who were still waiting on to find
out exactly how harmful all of this stuff is there
folks are breathing out there in terms of these gas turbines.
But in any event, my philosophy on this one is
pretty simple. I know both of them, and I know
that there are staunch advocates to remove XAI, all traces
(11:38):
of it and everything else, especially Keisan, especially Keishon so
Keishan Pearson and his brother Justin Pearson, the United the
Representative Justin Pearson. So we'll see how all of this holds.
First of all, they wind up on this control board,
they will have autonomy and they don't have a decision
(12:01):
as to what happens around here in terms of pollution.
So if that's the case, one of what's gonna happen
with x AI? Yeah, as things move along. That is
a quick look at news and knows. Of course, the
Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA Championship last night by
defeating the Indian UH the Indiana Pacers UH their first
(12:21):
championship I think in history. I'm not exactly sure, but
I believe so, if not pretty close, absolutely the first
one in Oklahoma. So congratulations to all those folks there.
That's a quick look at news and notes. We will
take a time out and when we come back, what
do you say we kickstart this show? Yeah, I think
that's a good idea too. Let's take a quick break.
I am Chip, you know who you are. Let's take
(12:43):
a quick break. Come back and do it on this
Monday evening. Don't go away, We'll be right back.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
If you like real Talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or suggestion.
Want to be considered a guest or have a guest idea?
Then send Ship a message on his Real Talk show
page and you can be a part of the Real
Talk experience. So as he always says, go out and
tell somebody, We'll be right back. It's It's.
Speaker 6 (13:29):
Support for WYXR comes from the Opium Theater Group presenting
Mending Hearts Camp this July. Mending Hearts is a performing
arts today camp for young people who have experienced the
death of one of both parents, surrounded by a community
of peers who have experienced a similar loss. Campers explore
their creativity through a variety of performing arts and community
(13:50):
building activities. You can learn more at Afium, Dash Memphis
dot com slash Mending Hearts.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
This Black Music Month, wr ZAR presents the third annual
Dowd Awards, honoring nine Memphians who's working music and service
has made a lasting impact on our city. This year's
honorees include Curl Paul and Alvin McKennon, Mark Stansbury, Johnny Walker,
Ray Griffin, Nanny McMillan, Antonio two Shape Parkinson, and Kirk K.
C Clayton. The ceremony takes place Thursday, June twenty sixth
(14:24):
at six pm at the National Civil Rights Museum. A
mission is free with RSVP. Reserve your seat today at
dowd wixar dot org. The twenty twenty five Dowd Awards
are sponsored by the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis, Grizzley's Irish, Etcetera, Catoring,
and the Germantown Performing Arts Center.
Speaker 5 (14:56):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
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back to more Real Talk with Zip Washington. It's real,
it's real, it's real, it's real, it's.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Real talks and welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on
this Monday evening in the city. It is June twenty third,
twenty twenty five. And as I alluded to, it the
top of broadcast. One of the many issues going on
in this country, and probably the biggest, is this immigration
issue issued by the President who when this all started,
(15:43):
when he was in his campaign mode, he said We're
going to remove the criminals and the drug dealers and
the dope dealers and all of those who mean harm
to so many folks. Well, you know that has evolved
into something completely different, and for many folks out here,
they're being they're being attacked, uh and taken for really
(16:06):
no reason at all. Uh So, you know, I thought
it was important enough because we are a sanctuary city
and he seems to have his target on democratically run
sanctuary cities. The President does, and I thought it would
be important to have a conversation with somebody who could
kind of enlighten us on what is going on out
here with the immigration issue. Please welcome to the show
(16:28):
Attorney Lily axelrodj. He is an immigration attorney here in
the city, and Lily is great to see you. Thanks
for coming on the show, and welcome to Real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 8 (16:39):
Thank you so much for having me, and thanks for
your attention to these issues.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Well, you know, this is something that you know it
seems to have have a have a different life force
every week, and you know, every every every other week
and every other day. Of course, we all know what
happened in California, which happens to be my home state,
and la is my home city. We saw that that
whole unfold, uh and uh, you know, it was pretty
(17:03):
it was pretty messy, and Uh, I wanted to to
talk to you about where things stand right now because
it seems like I don't know for so some people
that might be getting worse. There are people, uh who
are immigrants, who are who are basically living and hiding.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
For kids who go to school, they're not going to school.
Speaker 9 (17:23):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Where are we uh here in the Memphis area In
reference to the immigration situation as.
Speaker 9 (17:29):
You see it, so as you say, this is a
really scary time for non citizens from everybody you know,
to from permanent residents to people who might be here
with a work visa or some kind of humanitarian protection,
and of course people who are here maybe applying for
asylum or maybe they don't have status at all, and
(17:49):
across the board, like you say, we've been seeing the
Trump administration basically trying to trying to put everyone in
fear trying to take a new action every week that
that will scare folks, that will intimidate folks, from you know,
detaining people at the airports for simple paperwork problems, to
going into arrest people who are showing up for their
(18:13):
scheduled court hearings, work force work employment site raids like
we have seen already here in Memphis. So here in
Memphis we are seeing, you know, microcosm of what's going
on nationally. A lot of my clients and friends are anxious,
(18:33):
and so my message to folks is to don't panic,
but yes, do prepare your What kind of risk you
have depends on what kind of status you have and
on your background. So of course, if you have an
immigration attorney, it's a good time to catch up with
them and make sure that you're doing everything you should
be doing for your case. And if you don't, now
(18:55):
is a good time to consultancy. A lot of folks
might actually have leak options that they don't know about,
such as protections for victims of human trafficking, domestic violence,
abused neglected abandoned children, even folks who have gone through
certain abuses in the workplace.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
So obviously there are protections as you've just described, and
I guess more and more people. I think your phone
is probably becoming busier and busier these days with folks
asking questions seeking help. In reference to all of this,
we have seen cases across the country, Lily, and correct
me if I'm wrong, where folks have been falsely arrested,
(19:36):
and you know, due to the protest of people in
these certain towns and communities where these incidents are happening,
they have been let go. You know, after a certain point,
after a certain point in time. What does that tell
you about exactly you know where all this is going,
because it seems pretty really nearly because there are folks
that are being arrested in California. It was at a
(19:59):
home depot. I mean they were there was they were
stays outside of home depot and snatching folks when they
walked out of the store. I'm a big baseball fan.
In Dodger Stadium a few days ago, uh, several Ice
agents showed up out there, uh, looking to arrest.
Speaker 10 (20:14):
Now.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Los Angeles is a minority majority, which means the Hispanic
population is the majority population out there. Uh So going
to Dodger Stadium, they knew a lot of them worked there,
A lot of folks went there. I mean, so, you know,
but basically back to you know, some of these cases
that we're seeing of people being taken just discriminately. Uh,
(20:37):
it seems to be changing time after time. Does that
concern you at all in terms of just just the
just the clear Uh, it doesn't seem to me like
there's a very clear defined line as to you know,
what one is supposed to do or who they're supposed
to take or anything else. Please try to break that
down for me. I don't know if that makes sense.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
But absolutely that does make sense. And it is a
scary thing.
Speaker 9 (21:01):
Right Even all of us, of course, have loved ones
and colleagues and neighbors who are not citizens.
Speaker 8 (21:07):
But even if you don't, even if you are a
US citizen, you should be concerned about this for yourself.
Speaker 9 (21:13):
Because immigration enforcement does not have authority to arrest a
US citizen. They can ask you, if you're driving, to
show your license. They can ask you for your immigration
papers if you're coming in through the border, but they
do not have the authority to arrest a US citizen.
But if there is no process for folks to show
(21:36):
that they are a citizen or to show what their
immigration status is. And if the federal authorities are allowed
to arrest citizens illegally without any kind of guarantee that
they'll be given an opportunity to show who they are,
that is a risk for all of us. I don't
think any of us when we say the Pledge of
(21:58):
Allegiance in school, had in mind that liberty and justice
for all meant that the government could come to our
house wearing masks and arrest us for no reason at
all and not tell us where we're going or or
on what authority they have.
Speaker 8 (22:11):
To arrest us.
Speaker 9 (22:12):
So that is that is very troubling and and I
do think that US citizens should be contacting their members
of Congress about it.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yeah, and you know, and I think that you know,
once again, you know, there are people in certain places.
My wife works at a school who is which is
which is mostly Hispanic, and you know, they they've they've
seen some ice agents roaming around there. They're not allowed
to it. In terms of the educational aspect of things.
Then they're not allowed to enter a school or on
(22:45):
a school campus. Is that true?
Speaker 8 (22:48):
So unfortunately that's not true.
Speaker 9 (22:50):
Until recently, there was a policy within ICE, so not
a law by Congress, but just an internal policy for
sensitive locations such as schools or church's, synogogust mosque hospitals,
basically saying that unless there was a really emergency situation,
that they would you know, allow folks to or that
they would not prioritize entering those places. However, the Trump
(23:14):
administration rescinded that memo, meaning that anywhere is fair game.
So the thing that it's important for business owners, for schools,
for hospital administrators, anyone to know is that ICE can
be anywhere that the public can be, but they can't
come into a private area of your home or your
business without either your permission or a judicial warrant, which
(23:35):
they almost never have. Even if they have a rest
warrant for a person, that does not give them the
right to go into the back area of your restaurant,
to come into the closed doors of my office, to
go into a school that is closed to the public,
or you know, a teacher's classroom that's not open to
the public. So it's incumbent on all of us who
(23:56):
who inhabit these spaces to know that and to know
that we are going to have to be more assertive
and not letting people inside and not answering questions.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Do you think enough people know what the what the
dos and don'ts are? What the what the you know?
What the what the rules and laws are in reference
to this, because I'm told, and I'm told this from
people that I know, especially for young people, a lot
of them aren't even going to school. I mean, I
hear school is at but I'm just saying for the summer.
But a lot of them are afraid to leave their houses,
(24:28):
a lot of them afraid to go to school. This
is this is almost borizon inhumane to me as far
as I'm concerned.
Speaker 8 (24:35):
Yes, it's it's not right.
Speaker 9 (24:37):
That's not the kind of society that I want to
live in that children are are hiding at home and
afraid to get education, or people are afraid to go
to the hospital in an emergency.
Speaker 8 (24:46):
And I agree, folks don't know.
Speaker 9 (24:49):
And that is what ICE is counting on, right, They're
counting on being able to show you a picture and say, hey,
we're looking for this armed and dangerous criminal.
Speaker 8 (24:56):
Won't you help us? Have you seen them?
Speaker 9 (24:57):
And then they get you into a commerce nation or
banging on your door and saying you have to let
us in. Right, they're counting on that people will be
intimidated by a vest or a badge.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Under false pretenses. Clearly in terms of all of this.
Speaker 9 (25:11):
So how do you say that's not new, that that's
not new, that false pretenses and generally anything that you've
been told about police, you know you have the right
to remain silent. The technicolities are different in immigration court,
but the advice is the same. Other than if you
are being stopped while driving a vehicle, you have to
identify yourself and show that your license to drive. But
(25:31):
other than that, if ice is asking questions at your business,
at your home, don't answer the door, don't let them in,
don't even start a conversation.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Wow, that you know that when you hear it like that,
that that that is pretty telling. Can you help people
who are outside of the process of trying to become
a citizen. You've been here for going through the paperwork
and and and all of that, that that process and everything.
Can you really help can you help folks outside that
(26:00):
all outside of that particular parameter in terms of I
mean other than maybe counsel or advice, I mean legally,
there's nothing you can do correct.
Speaker 9 (26:10):
So a lot of folks think that immigration is just
you get in a line, you file some papers, and
eventually become a citizen, right. The reality is that there
are dozens of pathways to citizenship and permanent residents. Some
of them are through employment, some of them are through family,
some are humanitarian. And so you can't know just by
(26:32):
talking to someone or just by looking at someone what
their legal status is or what their options might be.
Speaker 8 (26:38):
So a lot of times people are here without status.
Speaker 9 (26:41):
And they or they may bee king with a visa
an overstate, and they don't know what options they might have.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Right.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
But as you say, the reality is that there are
folks who I consult with and who I you know,
run through their entire history, and who there just aren't
any legal options for I had to tell folks all
the time. You know, they would love to be able
to pay a fine, to be able to do fingerprints,
to wait in whatever line that there might be. But unfortunately,
the way our laws are, there are a lot of
(27:08):
folks who just don't have options to apply for legal
status right now, and it's a scary time for them.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
It truly is based on what you said, and I
really appreciate you taking the time because I think I
think sometimes when we let these these issues just kind
of pass us by and we don't stop and ask
a question or two, uh, then folks become even more
lost in the process. I hope you don't mind. I
may have to reach out to you down the road,
(27:35):
depending on how things because now I'm to understand nationally, uh,
the President has doubled down on on uh you know
these the democratically run uh, you know cities uh out
here with with with with with the high immigrant population.
So it looks as if to me like he's he's
(27:56):
he's he's waging war and he's going to continue doing
it until whatever point he feels like not doing it.
Sanctuary cities, That's what I was trying to think of.
He's doubling down on sanctuary city. Democratically runs sanctuary cities
in this country, which is a very scary thing. But
I really appreciate you taking the time to come on
this show tonight and to kind of walk us through this.
(28:17):
Let people know, you know what, keep your guard up right,
I mean, you know, stay visually. That really is the
message here, is it not?
Speaker 8 (28:23):
That's true?
Speaker 9 (28:23):
And if you can record, because if you are able
to even especially live stream, so they can't confiscate your
phone and delete it. If you are a US citizen,
especially and you see something happening in your neighborhood or
or at work, if somebody is trying to fight the
legality of their arrest and it's their word against the
nice officers, it sure does help to have an unbiased
(28:47):
recording of what really happened.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Very very good advice. Lily apselrid ladies and gentlemen. She
is an immigration attorney here in the city of Memphis. Lady,
thank you so much for coming on the show. I
really appreciate your time, I mean, more importantly, your knowledge
and information, and I hope we'll be communicating again down
the road.
Speaker 8 (29:06):
Thank you. Likewise, thanks for having me, and that look
forward to speaking with you again.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Thank you so much, appreciate that. Well, there you go,
ladies and gentlemen. Look, you know what, you have to
pay attention to what is going on out here because
there's so much happening and there's so much confusion around
certain issues. This is one of those that you really
need to stay vigilant. As she said in reference to
this entire process, really appreciate her coming on the show.
Let us take our first break, our second break actually,
(29:31):
and now when we come back, we're gonna shift gears,
and we're gonna talk about X A I, and we're
gonna talk about the lawsuit that has been filed on
the behalf of the N double ACP. This is real talk, Memphis.
I am Chip. We'll take a quick break and we'll
be ready back.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion, want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, Then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk show page and you can be a part
of the real talk experience. So as he always says,
go out and tell somebody.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
We'll be right back.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
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Speaker 2 (30:23):
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Real Talk with Zib Washington.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Then welcome back to Real Talking Memphis on this Monday
evening trip with you and UH. This is a very
important conversation that we're about to have about a very
important issue that many folks believe is the case we
all know about x Ai UH and UH. They're over
in the southwestern corner of the city of Memphis. They
(32:26):
have these gas turbines that are emitting some type of uh,
you know, possibly some type of pollution out there. Well,
a lot of folks and more and more and more
folks are getting on the bandwagon about not trusting this
whole issue, uh, not feeling safe or comfortable with it.
Last week, a lawsuit was filed by the Southern Environmental
(32:48):
Law Center on behalf of the na a c P
UH to x AI, signaling their intent to sue over
the companies a continued use of these un permitted gas
turbines over in south of Memphis. I'm very happy to
have on the show tonight the Memphis Chapter president of
(33:08):
the NAACP. He is Kermit Moore, along with Arbrey Connor.
She joins him as well now. She she's the director
of Environmental and Climate Justice Policy and Legislative Affairs. And
both of you, thank you so much for taking the
time to come on the show. I really appreciate it.
Good to see you tonight. Thanks for having us absolutely
(33:30):
that Okay, kermit, this is this is a big deal
now now, the national president of the NAACP NO drafted
a letter to the Xai folks at about this, not
feeling too comfortable about it and really you know, demanding
that they kind of haunt the process out there. Again,
(33:50):
as I mentioned the lawsuit, the intensive follow lawsuit on
behalf of the local wina A CP here has been
filed as well. Why did you feel like this was
a necessary action?
Speaker 4 (34:04):
It's necessary because nothing has been clear. No one has
told truth about what's going on at Colossus. So that's
the only way we're gonna get to the bottom of it.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
So through legal acts right right right, And I saw
your press conference and a lot of folks you know
about this. It does seem that the word has spread
among the community. A lot of folks not only in
that part particular part of town, but a lot of
other folks, Legislators, a lot of people are getting behind
this effort. Why is that such an important component current?
(34:46):
A lot of folks are are really starting to latch
onto this and really feeling uncomfortable about the things that happen.
One of the things I've heard is you know, when
they have these projects, they always want to go to
the most impoverished part of one of the most impoverished
parts of the city, and they always picked that part
of town to be able to do that. But why
is this this galvulating so much esteem and importance to.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
The community in your opinion, because right now Memphis is
already toxic according to the EPA, and we're thirty five
turbines going polluting the earth in south and southwest Memphis.
(35:31):
We can't handle it, and people are joining because the
air don state in three eight one zero nine or
three eight one zero six, the air spreads and if
we don't get a stop to this now, other areas
(35:56):
will be receiving the same kind of health issues that
are in three eight one zero or note.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Aubrey, what can you add to this? Obviously, from the
legislative perspective of all this and from the legal perspective
of all of this, Uh, this is a very serious issue,
and I think a lot of it is based on trust,
or in this case, a lack of trust even with
our city officials, like we've seen politicians saying that the
(36:27):
mayors need to get into this a lot of other
folks need to get into this. I've been saying, I've
been wondering where the Health Department is in all of this,
you know as well, for quite some time. Please add
to this conversation.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Yeah, well again, thanks so much for ensuring that folks understand,
you know, all the different pieces that are involved here,
and President Moore is absolutely right. You know, this is
an issue that is a larger conversation. We know that
(36:59):
x and classes that if they're operating gas turbines, they're
operating thirty five gas turbines. There are laws, there are
rules that are in place that they are supposed to
have to follow. We have the Clean Air at which
has been in place for decades, and so you can't
just operate gas turbines and say, oh, we don't need
(37:21):
to have any type of regulation about that at all.
There are rules that are in place about local, county
and state agencies who are also supposed to ensure that
XAI and classes that they're following the rules. So the
Health Department, for example, is one of those agencies. They
have the authority to be able to say whether or
(37:42):
not XAI is potentially causing a danger to the health
of the residents in Memphis and in South Memphis as well,
and so these are some of the agencies. It's not
just the Health Department, any department quite frankly that is
taking money from the public through tax dollars or otherwise.
(38:05):
That means that they have a right to answer back
to the public as well about any operations, any conversations,
any negotiations that they're doing. The public has a right
to know. And the President Morris point there hasn't been
transparency with those individuals who are supposed to be representing
the residents, not classes, not XAI.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
So the last thing I heard in reference to this
we had to find out. We have to find out.
I think we still have to find out if whether
or not there is actual pollution or how much pollution
kermit is coming off of those turbines from the Cheby
County Health Department. And I do know that there has
been a lot of conversation and a lot of push
(38:50):
to try to get them to say something. I don't
know how long this process takes to test the air
quality and everything like that, but it seems to be
taking an inordinate amount of time to come up with
a decision one way or another is this another reason
why you know you all saying look now, time out
for this. We know we need to make sure that
(39:10):
people know we're serious about our intent to find out
what this is all about.
Speaker 4 (39:15):
We waited long enough. The questions have been asked for
over a year now, and folks dance around and say, well,
we we only have twelve turbines that are burning, but
satellite images show thirty five burning and it don't take
(39:35):
that long to get air qualis. But they haven't followed
any the standards that should be followed.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Well, you know, again, as we as we get into
all of this, there's a sixty day window here, I believe,
right an intent to to to sue. H So between
now and that sixty day period, y, what are you
all looking for? What are you expecting you know from this?
Speaker 3 (40:04):
Yeah, well, the law requires us to file the notice
of intent to sue. And so there has been some
questions from individuals like, well, why don't you just file
the lawsuit right now? This is a requirement under the
law to file a notice of intent to suit to
hopefully give Xai an opportunity to do the right thing.
So they have this is another window of opportunity for
(40:27):
them to actually, you know, do something to actually help
the health of the residents in Memphis and in South Memphis,
and if they squander that opportunity of the sixty days,
I think that it's clear that by filing a notice
of intent to sue, that we're willing to look into
(40:49):
and to pursue any legal and policy actions that are
necessary in order for us to stand with the residents
in Memphis.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
Now I'm gonna play Devil's advocate here for a second,
because one of the uh, one of the arguments I guess,
if that's what you want to call it, uh is
from people. Uh what they say, well, you know, we've
seen this. We've had this problem for a long time.
Polluted air over that part of town, the Valero factory.
You know, it's shooting off whatever it's shooting off out there.
Uh so, and folks are folks are using that as
(41:23):
a as a as a as a reason to say,
you know what, this is just something that uh that
that that has that has happened for a very very
long time. I contend that people are tired of this.
I mean, after a certain point in time, you can
only get beat over the head so much and then
it's like here we go again. Uh am, I right
about that? Curby? Does that sound about right to you?
Speaker 4 (41:44):
We are sick and tired of being okay just because
you have dumped on me before me to tell me
I'm gonna continue.
Speaker 2 (41:55):
To let you do it.
Speaker 4 (41:58):
This is bull. Our people are all right, Our children
are going to the emergency room with asthma problems. We
have the highest cancer rate in the country, and we're
gonna let some more. We just got rid of sterilized
USA because they were polluting for fifty years and nobody
(42:22):
knew about it, and we're not gonna continue. You know,
folks want to make this. Elon must fight. This is
a fight for the people, by the people to stop
getting crapped on.
Speaker 2 (42:43):
I've always embraced protests and a lot of folks are
protesting this, and a lot of folks that are really
engaged in this process, which is really what you have
to have in order to launch a successful campaign like this.
It's getting attention now only here, but it's starting to
get attention across the country as well. People are paying
attention to what is happening here. I'm clear on your intent.
(43:04):
I'm clear on what the what the end result is
that you hope to have. Uh do you see Brad
ask you this question? Do you see a lot of
people are saying that Mayor Young ought to get involved
in this some way part of this part of the
city or the county. Mayor who actually selected and appointed
(43:25):
two people to the air Pollution Control Board today, I
thought that was funny. One of them was Keith Sean Pearson,
who is a definite. Who is a definite guy. I
was like, absolutely not. And Sarah Houston, who's over to
protect our aquifer. But I'm wondering, in in adding these
two or nominating these two, is he trying to send
a message to all of this And will their nominations,
(43:50):
should they be selected to this air pollution board, will
it have enough weight? I know you'll be watching this
very carefully. A my correct.
Speaker 3 (43:58):
Yeah. I think that it's important. I mean, I think
it goes to show what President Moore was stating. You
know that this is about the pressure that the people
in the community are putting on their elected officials to
do something different, and so it's important for the individuals
who come from the community, who their voices represent, the
(44:21):
individuals who have been impacted for them to be in
those positions. Now, will that necessarily make a change right away?
Time will tell, but it is an important step in
order for there to be people from the community who
can say, no, we don't think that it's okay for
there to, for example, be thirty five gas turbines that
are operating and in our community, and that's going to
(44:43):
be okay. And so having individuals in those spaces are
really important. Is also going to be important for those
who've been elected on behalf of the residents to actually
represent the wants and needs of the community there in
the community. To President Moore's point has been stating for
the last year, they want transparency. You know, it's important.
(45:04):
This is a fight for the lives, of the health
of the residents in South Memphis. This is a fight
to ensure that we're not perpetuating environmental racism any longer,
and that that is what their job is to listen
to the will of the people and to respond accordingly.
Speaker 2 (45:22):
Well listen. We will obviously stay on top of this.
We will continue to have conversations about it because it
is very very important to a lot of folks. President
Kermit Moore of the local chapter of the NAACP Abry Connor.
Thank you both for being on the show tonight. Thank
you for imparting the truth. And we will keep a
(45:43):
very close watch on all of this and see what
happens down the road. But thank you both for coming.
I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. Last words, yes, yes, sir.
Speaker 4 (45:51):
Thursday, there is a meeting at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church
from five to seven.
Speaker 2 (45:58):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (46:01):
Xai is seeking permit from the Tennessee Department of Environmental
and Conservation for the water recycling plant. This is a
public here and all of your listeners need to show
up at Riverside Baptist Church this Thursday from five to seven.
Speaker 2 (46:21):
You just put it out there, my friend. Thank you
so much. I really appreciate that, and I appreciate the
work that you guys are doing. Thank you so much
for being on the show. And we'll keep a track
on it. Okay, I appreciate it. Thank you, Thank you guys.
Thank you so much. Well, there you go, ladies and gentlemen.
This is you know. Look, I mean, after a certain
important time, people want some satisfaction, and I think that
the noise is starting to generate enough out here to
(46:43):
where people are paying more attention to this whole issue.
We'll keep an eye on it. As we said before,
let's take a quick break. When we come back, we're
going to talk about the family and the family unit
and some training that some of you might need. This
is real Talk Memphis, some Chip, don't go away.
Speaker 5 (47:13):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion. Want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, Then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk show page and you can be a part
of the real Talk experience. So as he always says,
go out and tell somebody, We'll be right back.
Speaker 1 (47:33):
It's real.
Speaker 12 (47:35):
It's Support for WYXAR comes from Rootstock Wine Merchants, located
at six forty four Madison in the Edge District. Rootstock
is committed to bringing Memphis wines from small, independent producers
with minimal intervention. More information on Rootstock's full selection of wine,
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(47:58):
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Speaker 5 (48:15):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
w y XR. And he's now streaming live on Facebook
and you can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just
put w y x R in the search box and
he subscribe. Now back to more Real Talk with Zim Washington's.
Speaker 2 (48:38):
It's and welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on this
warm Monday evening in the city. Chip with you. Uh
and uh, you know, our next guest works for an organization,
an outstanding organization. Uh that just helps the overall family unit.
Uh A got a child in Family Services is who
I'm speaking of. And they are going to have a
(49:00):
host a very special program. It's the Becoming One Program.
It is set to provide married couples, single individuals, and
fathers with relationship building tools and they're going to have
and they're going to do that through three upcoming free
workshops this week. Please welcome to the show. The program
(49:22):
director of this he is I heard you were a minister,
So I'm Reverend Jim Harvin Junior joins the program now
and it's great to see you. Thank you for coming
on the show tonight.
Speaker 13 (49:33):
I'm glad to be here. And everybody calls me Jim, so.
Speaker 2 (49:37):
All right, Jim, okay, well listen, you can call me Jim.
So we're good. Yeah, we're good. On that. So listen,
this is this is quite an event you have coming
up this week, three separate workshops on kind of split
with the three specific programs. One here for married couples,
another for single individuals, and another for fathers, all intent
(50:03):
to be a relation ship building exercise. Tell us a
little bit about it.
Speaker 13 (50:10):
Also, thank you. This coming Friday, starting June twenty seventh,
then Saturday June twenty eighth, and then also July of
the twelfth, we're having a relationship building workshops and it
is for married couples, it's for singles, and it's for fathers.
And we're excited about it. And one of the things
(50:32):
that we're trying to do is to help families have
healthy relationships.
Speaker 2 (50:38):
That is a very big point, and I want to
start there in terms of the family. We always hear
about it, right, We always talk about the family, the
importance of the family unit, and you know, in terms
of raising young folks and a lot of other things,
what do you hope folks get out of And I
want to break them down one by one the family
unit component of all of this.
Speaker 13 (51:01):
Well, I think one of the things is husbands and wives,
fathers and individuals will learn what a healthy relationship actually
looks like. And in fact, in some of the workshops,
they'll be able to create a vision for what is
it that I really want my family to look like,
whatever shape that it's in. This would include fathers that
(51:23):
are in the home, fathers that are none custodial dads.
They'll be able to be engaged with their kids and
then also just learn, okay, so what does it look
like in my current situation to be able to have
a healthy family. And so we are trying to reach
everybody in the reality of the way families look today.
Speaker 2 (51:44):
Yeah, I think that is that's a very very big
issue now. You know, you talk about fathers, and I've
had so many folks on this show in the past
talk about that as a as. I don't know if
it's a reason for or it's really emphasize the importance
of and you mentioned it, whether you're custodio or non custodio,
(52:05):
the role of demand, especially when they are children involved
in a healthy relationship with their children. Talk a little
bit about that.
Speaker 13 (52:13):
So it's important. And I think that for years there's
been in the system of the government, there's been this
push for in order to receive benefits. Sometimes the father
had to be outside of the home, and I think
now people have recognized that that was a mistake and
so now trying to write correct that. Then one of
(52:36):
the emphasis is one fathers are needed. Fathers matters. Fathers
are important, and so part of our role is in
this program that we have the Fatherhood Initiative, is to
honor dads and to make your dads feel that they're important,
that they're vital, and that there's no one else that
can take their place in terms of helping to raise children.
(53:01):
Mothers have a role. Fathers also have a role, and
what we're trying to do is to help of families,
even if they are not in the same household, a
bridge that gap and to be able to be there
for for both, for the children, for the family.
Speaker 2 (53:15):
You know, that's that's extraordinarily important. And everything you just
said was dead on point. Uh A lot of times
in terms of that family dynamic, if you will, Uh,
it generates from from a disagreement between the woman and
the man, and you know then that turns into you know,
something bitter and you know why I'm keep him away
(53:37):
from you or keep her away from you, or or
that kind of thing, and it really becomes a very
divisive thing, uh, for the child, as you say, and
and I think you're you're right when you say there
really is an increased importance on making people understand how
critically important uh that is regardless of whether you're in
(54:00):
the house or at the house correct, right.
Speaker 13 (54:02):
And so one of the things that I grew up
with my father in the household with me. But then
there's so many people that I encounter every day and
even as part of this work that I do with Agape,
And then you mentioned I'm a pastor, and so then
in the church, I also see where not everyone has
a father in the home, right, And so how do
we begin to encourage fathers who would love to be
(54:26):
in a relationship with their children. How do we encourage
them and bridge the gap between relationships that may not
be exactly what they need to be, whether the father
and the mother are not still in a romantic relationship,
but how do they learn to work together in order
to make sure that that child has everything that they need.
Speaker 2 (54:48):
Yeah, that's a very very big deal. Now you also
you're dealing with single individuals too. Is there a road
map that you hope that they can pick up from
this event. Yeah.
Speaker 13 (55:04):
So one thing I didn't mention is with the fathers.
So we have an evidence based curriculum and that we
are going to teach fathers tools to be in the
home and how to have those relationships and how to
navigate through some of the issues that they have. And
then also for the singles, we also have an evidence
based curriculum that we're using that we know that has
(55:26):
been proven that actually works, and it teaches a relationship
skills for individuals who are unmarried, individuals who are looking
to get married, but individuals who are not at this
moment in a relationship, are not really thinking about marriage,
but they're just learning the skills to have a health
relationship that they can use on their job, they can
(55:48):
use with their family, they can use a church, they
can just use in life in terms of this is
what a healthy relationship, This is how you communicate, This
is how you navigate in our world today. And they
have tools that they leave the workshop with and this
is how that's done.
Speaker 2 (56:05):
This is multi dimension on this is a good thing.
Before I let you go, please give folks the information
as to the wind and if they have any questions
or contact information please.
Speaker 13 (56:16):
Okay, So the wind is this coming Friday and Saturday
at the Dwelling Place in Raleigh. And the Dwelling Place
is located at thirty thirty four Old Austin Pea Highway.
That's in Raleigh, the three eight to one to two
aage zip code. It's a huge shirt the round church
as you're coming off of Austin p that's where it's located.
(56:38):
So that's where it's going to be. It's absolutely one
hundred percent free. We're even providing meals, but you do
need to register so that we can know how to
plan for you and have all the materials that's needed
for the workshops.
Speaker 2 (56:53):
Well, i'll tell you what this is. I think this
is going to be a very beneficial event for so
many people to be involved. Jim Harpy, he's the program
director over this special event. Becoming One is the program
and listen, we really appreciate your time. More importantly, we
really appreciate what you're doing to try to make people
(57:15):
better overall. Whether you're single, whether you're married, or what
have you. The job that a goape does each and
every day is a blessing. Thank you for coming on
the show tonight. I appreciate it.
Speaker 13 (57:25):
Thankank you so much. I appreciate the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (57:28):
Yes, sir, absolutely well, there you go, ladies and gentlemen.
And again, you know, the family unit is important, whether
you're together, whether you're not together. If you have a
child involved in all of this, you need to learn
how to act so you can raise a healthy, productive
young people. That's going to wrap it up for me
on this Monday evening. I hope that you enjoyed the show.
(57:49):
As Lola wraps us on out of here. I really
appreciate your time, really appreciate you being here, really appreciate
you supporting what we do each and every week. If
you like what our content is, please tell somebody about it,
tell us to give them, give us a look, give
us a listen.
Speaker 4 (58:07):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (58:07):
You know, I truly appreciate all of you who continually
support the show. The more we know, the more we growth. Okay,
so let us keep that in motion as well. So
for all of us here at Bill talking Memphis for
brand and for he it comes lovely loa, ladies and
young I see, that's the highlight of this show right there.
(58:30):
Every week, y'all know, y'all look forward to seeing low
Let the bank listen. Uh. But for all of us here,
including myself, thank you Memphis. We really appreciate your time.
We really appreciates you so between now and the next time,
and it was well, like I always like to say,
uh in the meantime in between the time. Please be safe,
please be careful, please be cautious, watch out for this heat,
(58:52):
watch out for other folks. And until next time we
are out, see you.
Speaker 1 (59:04):
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Main Chip washing it when it comes to information. The
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Ho died.
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Speaker 5 (00:40):
Jail, Welcome to Real Tor, Real.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Host Chima washing him white young like.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
It's a real talk. It's a real talking, it's real cop.
(01:13):
And here we go. Here we go on this Monday evening. Yes,
ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who have been
waiting anxiously for summer, my first question to you is
why anyway. It is sometime in the city and it's
six o'clock straight up, which means it's time for an
all new and live edition of Real Talk Memphis. Right
(01:33):
here on WXR ninety one point seven on your FM dial.
I am your humble host. My name is Chip Washington.
As the theme said, and it's great to be here.
Traffic wasn't bad getting down here today. It's a rare occurrence.
But very happy to be here on this very hot, hot,
hot this afternoon afternoon. When I got out of the car,
(01:55):
it said ninety four degrees and the heat index is
Willow is over one hundred degrees right now. So again
on the serious note, please please, please, please, man, please sir,
watch out for this heat because it doesn't take long
for it to do bad things to your body. Stay hydrated,
Drink plenty of water. You know when you say fluids
and people will you know, take that to be very literal.
(02:18):
Some folks, I'm not looking at you, lolo, I am not.
I'm just saying we drink plenty of water out there,
and stay hydrated, ladies and gentlemen, because we don't want
anything to happen to you. Check on your elderly folks,
to check on the seniors, make sure that they okay,
what'd you say in my pets? Oh yes, in the pasts,
Absolutely yes, she's absolutely right. Check on your pets as well.
(02:40):
So there you go, there you go. We have a
great show for you lined up this evening. I hope
that whatever you do, you did all your business outside.
You're coming inside, cool, relaxed, and you know, hang out
with us for the next hour. I think you might
enjoy the broadcast. By the way, speaking of heat, the
cooling centers are open, so for those of you who
(03:00):
need the cool lound and don't have that option where
you live or wherever, go to the cooling center. They
are open and available for you. You can get this
nice piece of radio broadcasting wherever. We're in several locations.
Actually I mentioned one Live now ninety one point seven
FM on your radio dial. You can also catch us
(03:22):
on the wy x R app. You can also find
us on the tune in app. And we are live
streaming tonight on Facebook Live. So if that's your thing,
head over to my page and you can check out
the show live when the show post in the next
day or so. You can find us a little bit
later on this week on YouTube. And did you know
(03:45):
we're a podcast where we are a podcast and you
can find us after the show post wherever it is.
You get your podcast. You know, I'm looking at myself
right now on the screen, and I look dark. I
look like I got a tanner. So do I look
dark to you?
Speaker 6 (03:57):
Long?
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Do I look like a Maybe it's just a screen. Okay,
just a little bit, just a little ten. You got
ten too, Arizona. Lola was in Arizona last week. She
said it was one hundred and thirteen degrees outside for
a concert. But you know, is there any consolations in
saying it's a dry heat? Probably not? Yeah, they did, really,
(04:19):
it didn't really register anyway. I am glad that you
have you all along for the ride this evening. Who
do we have? I'm glad you asked that question. Well,
my first guest in just a couple of minutes is
Kermit Moore. Kermit is the Memphis Chapter Area director, not
director president of the National Association of Colored People or
(04:41):
in DOUBACP. He will be joining me and just a
few minutes, along with Ibrey Connor, who is an attorney.
There was a lawsuit that was talked about about a
week or so ago, levied at the Xai Folks on
behalf of the ACP, in reference to, of course, this
(05:03):
project that a lot of folks had lots of questions
about serious questions and really doubts about as well. So
he's going to come on and talk to us a
little bit about the action of the NAACP and what
they are hoping to gain from all of this. A
little bit later on. Another issue that is still high
button around with everything else going on in this country,
immigration is still pretty close to the top, and a
(05:26):
lot of folks are very concerned about, you know, their
own safety and their own welfare and you know, somebody
pulling up on them and grabbing them and putting them
in a van and taking them god knows where. So
I wanted to get an update on that. Lily Axelrod
never been on the show before. She is an immigration attorney.
She will be talking with us about this current situation
(05:48):
and what folks need to know and be prepared for
a little bit later on in the show, we are
going to be talking with Reverend Jim Harbin Junior. He's
the program director over a program that a GOATPE you
all know GOTPE, the Children and Family Services Organization. They're
going to be hosting a series of workshops this week
(06:10):
for single folks, for married folks, and for men and
or fathers, and they're going to be free sessions. We
need a lot of help in the family department in
a lot of different ways. So he's going to talk
with us about these free sessions that are going to
be happening sponsored by a got by Children and Family
Services coming up this weekend. So there you go, we
(06:32):
have all of that to talk about. But before we
do that, you know, June is a big birthday month
and a lot of folks had birthdays today, So let's
get to the roll call. But I can't do that
until I say hit it, Lolan, all right, here we go,
Here we go, Here we go, lead us mcculof Seleitski,
I know her. Happy birthday, Leader Brenda Dickerson celebrating her
(06:56):
birthday today. Happy birthday to time, Peace to Robert mckuman,
Happy birthday going out to Rodney Moore Senior. Beryl Wait
celebrating her birthday today. Jason Copacco Copacco, excuse me celebrating
his birthday. Happy birthday to on Rtta. I don't think
(07:19):
I typed up and brought's names, so actually I don't know.
Move on, uh, Doris Martinez, Happy birthday to you and
happy Birthday to Wayne Schneider. You got one, lolo, you
have one one.
Speaker 7 (07:33):
Happy Birthday to Frankie Anderson, Happy.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
Birthday, Boss, Big like your boss.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
I do gig over at one eleven from time to
time shout out one eleven Madison and mister Frankie and
listen to the big five.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Oh oh oh, there you go, then six we deal.
Happy birthday, Frankie, and happy birthday Dac and every one
of you out there celebrating on this day. I hope
it's been filled with love and fun and laughter, and
of course we hope to be around next year for
your next trip around the sun. Thanks loving. So many
(08:09):
people are still talking about the death of the founder
of FedEx. Fred Smith, died a Saturday evening at the
age of eighty. Of course that he was the founder
of FedEx, as we all know it. So many people
in this city at one point or another worked at FedEx,
(08:31):
you know, whether it was you know, loading the trucks
or any other various number of positions. He was, by
all means, as the paper said, a great memphi, and
he was a very important person, and he was very
selfless in what he did for this community. He loved Memphis,
and he loved to see Memphis thrive. And you know,
(08:54):
he gave, he contributed to so many. He contributed, you know, financially,
in a lot of other ways. And it's a big
loss for a lot of folks. There have been a
lot of tributes that have occurred as a result of
all of that. And yeah, it's a sad loss for
a lot of folks. He was eighty years old, and again,
(09:18):
FedEx will move on, but it has left his mark,
not only here domestically, but worldwide. So again, our deepest
condolences to all of those who knew mister Fritz Smith
and all of course his family members and friends and colleagues,
so many who are dealing with that loss. Today. A
quick look at news and notes, President Trump of course
(09:41):
dropped three bunker bombs over the weekend on military sites
in Iran. You know, Iran has been in a big
war with going back and forth with Israel. Well, he
dropped three of these bunker bombs Saturday night, which kind
of put us in the middle of all of this.
We saw today that Iran fired about ten to twelve
(10:04):
missiles in a Cutter which is an American base in Cutter.
They were fired upon this afternoon or I don't know,
there are several hours ahead of us there, but there
were no casualties on either side, so we will see
exactly what happened. I did see a news flash this
afternoon according to President Trump that Israel and Iran have
(10:28):
agreed to a ceasefire. So if that is the case,
of course that is good news. But we'll have to
keep a watching on this very very carefully to see
what happens. This is something that is related to related
to what we're going to be talking about with Kermit
soon and this has to do with Xai. Mayor Lee
(10:51):
Harris named two nominees for the Air Pollution Control Board today.
Keishn Pearson, who has been again on this show, uh
and Sarah Houston, who is just a guest on this
show We Could So Go, are named. He's been nominated
by the mayor to be on the Air Pollution Control Board,
(11:13):
which I think has something to do with the Chelby
County Health Department who were still waiting on to find
out exactly how harmful all of this stuff is there
folks are breathing out there in terms of these gas turbines.
But in any event, my philosophy on this one is
pretty simple. I know both of them, and I know
that there are staunch advocates to remove XAI, all traces
(11:38):
of it and everything else, especially Keisan, especially Keishon so
Keishan Pearson and his brother Justin Pearson, the United the
Representative Justin Pearson. So we'll see how all of this holds.
First of all, they wind up on this control board,
they will have autonomy and they don't have a decision
(12:01):
as to what happens around here in terms of pollution.
So if that's the case, one of what's gonna happen
with x AI? Yeah, as things move along. That is
a quick look at news and knows. Of course, the
Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA Championship last night by
defeating the Indian UH the Indiana Pacers UH their first
(12:21):
championship I think in history. I'm not exactly sure, but
I believe so, if not pretty close, absolutely the first
one in Oklahoma. So congratulations to all those folks there.
That's a quick look at news and notes. We will
take a time out and when we come back, what
do you say we kickstart this show? Yeah, I think
that's a good idea too. Let's take a quick break.
I am Chip, you know who you are. Let's take
(12:43):
a quick break. Come back and do it on this
Monday evening. Don't go away, We'll be right back.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
If you like real Talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or suggestion.
Want to be considered a guest or have a guest idea?
Then send Ship a message on his Real Talk show
page and you can be a part of the Real
Talk experience. So as he always says, go out and
tell somebody, We'll be right back. It's It's.
Speaker 6 (13:29):
Support for WYXR comes from the Opium Theater Group presenting
Mending Hearts Camp this July. Mending Hearts is a performing
arts today camp for young people who have experienced the
death of one of both parents, surrounded by a community
of peers who have experienced a similar loss. Campers explore
their creativity through a variety of performing arts and community
(13:50):
building activities. You can learn more at Afium, Dash Memphis
dot com slash Mending Hearts.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
This Black Music Month, wr ZAR presents the third annual
Dowd Awards, honoring nine Memphians who's working music and service
has made a lasting impact on our city. This year's
honorees include Curl Paul and Alvin McKennon, Mark Stansbury, Johnny Walker,
Ray Griffin, Nanny McMillan, Antonio two Shape Parkinson, and Kirk K.
C Clayton. The ceremony takes place Thursday, June twenty sixth
(14:24):
at six pm at the National Civil Rights Museum. A
mission is free with RSVP. Reserve your seat today at
dowd wixar dot org. The twenty twenty five Dowd Awards
are sponsored by the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis, Grizzley's Irish, Etcetera, Catoring,
and the Germantown Performing Arts Center.
Speaker 5 (14:56):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
WYXR and he's now streaming live on Facebook and you
can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just put w
y XORR in the search box and hit subscribe. Now
back to more Real Talk with Zip Washington. It's real,
it's real, it's real, it's real, it's.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Real talks and welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on
this Monday evening in the city. It is June twenty third,
twenty twenty five. And as I alluded to, it the
top of broadcast. One of the many issues going on
in this country, and probably the biggest, is this immigration
issue issued by the President who when this all started,
(15:43):
when he was in his campaign mode, he said We're
going to remove the criminals and the drug dealers and
the dope dealers and all of those who mean harm
to so many folks. Well, you know that has evolved
into something completely different, and for many folks out here,
they're being they're being attacked, uh and taken for really
(16:06):
no reason at all. Uh So, you know, I thought
it was important enough because we are a sanctuary city
and he seems to have his target on democratically run
sanctuary cities. The President does, and I thought it would
be important to have a conversation with somebody who could
kind of enlighten us on what is going on out
here with the immigration issue. Please welcome to the show
(16:28):
Attorney Lily axelrodj. He is an immigration attorney here in
the city, and Lily is great to see you. Thanks
for coming on the show, and welcome to Real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 8 (16:39):
Thank you so much for having me, and thanks for
your attention to these issues.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Well, you know, this is something that you know it
seems to have have a have a different life force
every week, and you know, every every every other week
and every other day. Of course, we all know what
happened in California, which happens to be my home state,
and la is my home city. We saw that that
whole unfold, uh and uh, you know, it was pretty
(17:03):
it was pretty messy, and Uh, I wanted to to
talk to you about where things stand right now because
it seems like I don't know for so some people
that might be getting worse. There are people, uh who
are immigrants, who are who are basically living and hiding.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
For kids who go to school, they're not going to school.
Speaker 9 (17:23):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Where are we uh here in the Memphis area In
reference to the immigration situation as.
Speaker 9 (17:29):
You see it, so as you say, this is a
really scary time for non citizens from everybody you know,
to from permanent residents to people who might be here
with a work visa or some kind of humanitarian protection,
and of course people who are here maybe applying for
asylum or maybe they don't have status at all, and
(17:49):
across the board, like you say, we've been seeing the
Trump administration basically trying to trying to put everyone in
fear trying to take a new action every week that
that will scare folks, that will intimidate folks, from you know,
detaining people at the airports for simple paperwork problems, to
going into arrest people who are showing up for their
(18:13):
scheduled court hearings, work force work employment site raids like
we have seen already here in Memphis. So here in
Memphis we are seeing, you know, microcosm of what's going
on nationally. A lot of my clients and friends are anxious,
(18:33):
and so my message to folks is to don't panic,
but yes, do prepare your What kind of risk you
have depends on what kind of status you have and
on your background. So of course, if you have an
immigration attorney, it's a good time to catch up with
them and make sure that you're doing everything you should
be doing for your case. And if you don't, now
(18:55):
is a good time to consultancy. A lot of folks
might actually have leak options that they don't know about,
such as protections for victims of human trafficking, domestic violence,
abused neglected abandoned children, even folks who have gone through
certain abuses in the workplace.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
So obviously there are protections as you've just described, and
I guess more and more people. I think your phone
is probably becoming busier and busier these days with folks
asking questions seeking help. In reference to all of this,
we have seen cases across the country, Lily, and correct
me if I'm wrong, where folks have been falsely arrested,
(19:36):
and you know, due to the protest of people in
these certain towns and communities where these incidents are happening,
they have been let go. You know, after a certain point,
after a certain point in time. What does that tell
you about exactly you know where all this is going,
because it seems pretty really nearly because there are folks
that are being arrested in California. It was at a
(19:59):
home depot. I mean they were there was they were
stays outside of home depot and snatching folks when they
walked out of the store. I'm a big baseball fan.
In Dodger Stadium a few days ago, uh, several Ice
agents showed up out there, uh, looking to arrest.
Speaker 10 (20:14):
Now.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Los Angeles is a minority majority, which means the Hispanic
population is the majority population out there. Uh So going
to Dodger Stadium, they knew a lot of them worked there,
A lot of folks went there. I mean, so, you know,
but basically back to you know, some of these cases
that we're seeing of people being taken just discriminately. Uh,
(20:37):
it seems to be changing time after time. Does that
concern you at all in terms of just just the
just the clear Uh, it doesn't seem to me like
there's a very clear defined line as to you know,
what one is supposed to do or who they're supposed
to take or anything else. Please try to break that
down for me. I don't know if that makes sense.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
But absolutely that does make sense. And it is a
scary thing.
Speaker 9 (21:01):
Right Even all of us, of course, have loved ones
and colleagues and neighbors who are not citizens.
Speaker 8 (21:07):
But even if you don't, even if you are a
US citizen, you should be concerned about this for yourself.
Speaker 9 (21:13):
Because immigration enforcement does not have authority to arrest a
US citizen. They can ask you, if you're driving, to
show your license. They can ask you for your immigration
papers if you're coming in through the border, but they
do not have the authority to arrest a US citizen.
But if there is no process for folks to show
(21:36):
that they are a citizen or to show what their
immigration status is. And if the federal authorities are allowed
to arrest citizens illegally without any kind of guarantee that
they'll be given an opportunity to show who they are,
that is a risk for all of us. I don't
think any of us when we say the Pledge of
(21:58):
Allegiance in school, had in mind that liberty and justice
for all meant that the government could come to our
house wearing masks and arrest us for no reason at
all and not tell us where we're going or or
on what authority they have.
Speaker 8 (22:11):
To arrest us.
Speaker 9 (22:12):
So that is that is very troubling and and I
do think that US citizens should be contacting their members
of Congress about it.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yeah, and you know, and I think that you know,
once again, you know, there are people in certain places.
My wife works at a school who is which is
which is mostly Hispanic, and you know, they they've they've
seen some ice agents roaming around there. They're not allowed
to it. In terms of the educational aspect of things.
Then they're not allowed to enter a school or on
(22:45):
a school campus. Is that true?
Speaker 8 (22:48):
So unfortunately that's not true.
Speaker 9 (22:50):
Until recently, there was a policy within ICE, so not
a law by Congress, but just an internal policy for
sensitive locations such as schools or church's, synogogust mosque hospitals,
basically saying that unless there was a really emergency situation,
that they would you know, allow folks to or that
they would not prioritize entering those places. However, the Trump
(23:14):
administration rescinded that memo, meaning that anywhere is fair game.
So the thing that it's important for business owners, for schools,
for hospital administrators, anyone to know is that ICE can
be anywhere that the public can be, but they can't
come into a private area of your home or your
business without either your permission or a judicial warrant, which
(23:35):
they almost never have. Even if they have a rest
warrant for a person, that does not give them the
right to go into the back area of your restaurant,
to come into the closed doors of my office, to
go into a school that is closed to the public,
or you know, a teacher's classroom that's not open to
the public. So it's incumbent on all of us who
(23:56):
who inhabit these spaces to know that and to know
that we are going to have to be more assertive
and not letting people inside and not answering questions.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Do you think enough people know what the what the
dos and don'ts are? What the what the you know?
What the what the rules and laws are in reference
to this, because I'm told, and I'm told this from
people that I know, especially for young people, a lot
of them aren't even going to school. I mean, I
hear school is at but I'm just saying for the summer.
But a lot of them are afraid to leave their houses,
(24:28):
a lot of them afraid to go to school. This
is this is almost borizon inhumane to me as far
as I'm concerned.
Speaker 8 (24:35):
Yes, it's it's not right.
Speaker 9 (24:37):
That's not the kind of society that I want to
live in that children are are hiding at home and
afraid to get education, or people are afraid to go
to the hospital in an emergency.
Speaker 8 (24:46):
And I agree, folks don't know.
Speaker 9 (24:49):
And that is what ICE is counting on, right, They're
counting on being able to show you a picture and say, hey,
we're looking for this armed and dangerous criminal.
Speaker 8 (24:56):
Won't you help us? Have you seen them?
Speaker 9 (24:57):
And then they get you into a commerce nation or
banging on your door and saying you have to let
us in. Right, they're counting on that people will be
intimidated by a vest or a badge.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Under false pretenses. Clearly in terms of all of this.
Speaker 9 (25:11):
So how do you say that's not new, that that's
not new, that false pretenses and generally anything that you've
been told about police, you know you have the right
to remain silent. The technicolities are different in immigration court,
but the advice is the same. Other than if you
are being stopped while driving a vehicle, you have to
identify yourself and show that your license to drive. But
(25:31):
other than that, if ice is asking questions at your business,
at your home, don't answer the door, don't let them in,
don't even start a conversation.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Wow, that you know that when you hear it like that,
that that that is pretty telling. Can you help people
who are outside of the process of trying to become
a citizen. You've been here for going through the paperwork
and and and all of that, that that process and everything.
Can you really help can you help folks outside that
(26:00):
all outside of that particular parameter in terms of I
mean other than maybe counsel or advice, I mean legally,
there's nothing you can do correct.
Speaker 9 (26:10):
So a lot of folks think that immigration is just
you get in a line, you file some papers, and
eventually become a citizen, right. The reality is that there
are dozens of pathways to citizenship and permanent residents. Some
of them are through employment, some of them are through family,
some are humanitarian. And so you can't know just by
(26:32):
talking to someone or just by looking at someone what
their legal status is or what their options might be.
Speaker 8 (26:38):
So a lot of times people are here without status.
Speaker 9 (26:41):
And they or they may bee king with a visa
an overstate, and they don't know what options they might have.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Right.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
But as you say, the reality is that there are
folks who I consult with and who I you know,
run through their entire history, and who there just aren't
any legal options for I had to tell folks all
the time. You know, they would love to be able
to pay a fine, to be able to do fingerprints,
to wait in whatever line that there might be. But unfortunately,
the way our laws are, there are a lot of
(27:08):
folks who just don't have options to apply for legal
status right now, and it's a scary time for them.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
It truly is based on what you said, and I
really appreciate you taking the time because I think I
think sometimes when we let these these issues just kind
of pass us by and we don't stop and ask
a question or two, uh, then folks become even more
lost in the process. I hope you don't mind. I
may have to reach out to you down the road,
(27:35):
depending on how things because now I'm to understand nationally, uh,
the President has doubled down on on uh you know
these the democratically run uh, you know cities uh out
here with with with with with the high immigrant population.
So it looks as if to me like he's he's
(27:56):
he's he's waging war and he's going to continue doing
it until whatever point he feels like not doing it.
Sanctuary cities, That's what I was trying to think of.
He's doubling down on sanctuary city. Democratically runs sanctuary cities
in this country, which is a very scary thing. But
I really appreciate you taking the time to come on
this show tonight and to kind of walk us through this.
(28:17):
Let people know, you know what, keep your guard up right,
I mean, you know, stay visually. That really is the
message here, is it not?
Speaker 8 (28:23):
That's true?
Speaker 9 (28:23):
And if you can record, because if you are able
to even especially live stream, so they can't confiscate your
phone and delete it. If you are a US citizen,
especially and you see something happening in your neighborhood or
or at work, if somebody is trying to fight the
legality of their arrest and it's their word against the
nice officers, it sure does help to have an unbiased
(28:47):
recording of what really happened.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Very very good advice. Lily apselrid ladies and gentlemen. She
is an immigration attorney here in the city of Memphis. Lady,
thank you so much for coming on the show. I
really appreciate your time, I mean, more importantly, your knowledge
and information, and I hope we'll be communicating again down
the road.
Speaker 8 (29:06):
Thank you. Likewise, thanks for having me, and that look
forward to speaking with you again.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Thank you so much, appreciate that. Well, there you go,
ladies and gentlemen. Look, you know what, you have to
pay attention to what is going on out here because
there's so much happening and there's so much confusion around
certain issues. This is one of those that you really
need to stay vigilant. As she said in reference to
this entire process, really appreciate her coming on the show.
Let us take our first break, our second break actually,
(29:31):
and now when we come back, we're gonna shift gears,
and we're gonna talk about X A I, and we're
gonna talk about the lawsuit that has been filed on
the behalf of the N double ACP. This is real talk, Memphis.
I am Chip. We'll take a quick break and we'll
be ready back.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion, want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, Then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk show page and you can be a part
of the real talk experience. So as he always says,
go out and tell somebody.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
We'll be right back.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
If real.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
It's real talk, it's real.
Speaker 11 (30:25):
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Real Talk with Zib Washington.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Then welcome back to Real Talking Memphis on this Monday
evening trip with you and UH. This is a very
important conversation that we're about to have about a very
important issue that many folks believe is the case we
all know about x Ai UH and UH. They're over
in the southwestern corner of the city of Memphis. They
(32:26):
have these gas turbines that are emitting some type of uh,
you know, possibly some type of pollution out there. Well,
a lot of folks and more and more and more
folks are getting on the bandwagon about not trusting this
whole issue, uh, not feeling safe or comfortable with it.
Last week, a lawsuit was filed by the Southern Environmental
(32:48):
Law Center on behalf of the na a c P
UH to x AI, signaling their intent to sue over
the companies a continued use of these un permitted gas
turbines over in south of Memphis. I'm very happy to
have on the show tonight the Memphis Chapter president of
(33:08):
the NAACP. He is Kermit Moore, along with Arbrey Connor.
She joins him as well now. She she's the director
of Environmental and Climate Justice Policy and Legislative Affairs. And
both of you, thank you so much for taking the
time to come on the show. I really appreciate it.
Good to see you tonight. Thanks for having us absolutely
(33:30):
that Okay, kermit, this is this is a big deal
now now, the national president of the NAACP NO drafted
a letter to the Xai folks at about this, not
feeling too comfortable about it and really you know, demanding
that they kind of haunt the process out there. Again,
(33:50):
as I mentioned the lawsuit, the intensive follow lawsuit on
behalf of the local wina A CP here has been
filed as well. Why did you feel like this was
a necessary action?
Speaker 4 (34:04):
It's necessary because nothing has been clear. No one has
told truth about what's going on at Colossus. So that's
the only way we're gonna get to the bottom of it.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
So through legal acts right right right, And I saw
your press conference and a lot of folks you know
about this. It does seem that the word has spread
among the community. A lot of folks not only in
that part particular part of town, but a lot of
other folks, Legislators, a lot of people are getting behind
this effort. Why is that such an important component current?
(34:46):
A lot of folks are are really starting to latch
onto this and really feeling uncomfortable about the things that happen.
One of the things I've heard is you know, when
they have these projects, they always want to go to
the most impoverished part of one of the most impoverished
parts of the city, and they always picked that part
of town to be able to do that. But why
is this this galvulating so much esteem and importance to.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
The community in your opinion, because right now Memphis is
already toxic according to the EPA, and we're thirty five
turbines going polluting the earth in south and southwest Memphis.
(35:31):
We can't handle it, and people are joining because the
air don state in three eight one zero nine or
three eight one zero six, the air spreads and if
we don't get a stop to this now, other areas
(35:56):
will be receiving the same kind of health issues that
are in three eight one zero or note.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Aubrey, what can you add to this? Obviously, from the
legislative perspective of all this and from the legal perspective
of all of this, Uh, this is a very serious issue,
and I think a lot of it is based on trust,
or in this case, a lack of trust even with
our city officials, like we've seen politicians saying that the
(36:27):
mayors need to get into this a lot of other
folks need to get into this. I've been saying, I've
been wondering where the Health Department is in all of this,
you know as well, for quite some time. Please add
to this conversation.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Yeah, well again, thanks so much for ensuring that folks understand,
you know, all the different pieces that are involved here,
and President Moore is absolutely right. You know, this is
an issue that is a larger conversation. We know that
(36:59):
x and classes that if they're operating gas turbines, they're
operating thirty five gas turbines. There are laws, there are
rules that are in place that they are supposed to
have to follow. We have the Clean Air at which
has been in place for decades, and so you can't
just operate gas turbines and say, oh, we don't need
(37:21):
to have any type of regulation about that at all.
There are rules that are in place about local, county
and state agencies who are also supposed to ensure that
XAI and classes that they're following the rules. So the
Health Department, for example, is one of those agencies. They
have the authority to be able to say whether or
(37:42):
not XAI is potentially causing a danger to the health
of the residents in Memphis and in South Memphis as well,
and so these are some of the agencies. It's not
just the Health Department, any department quite frankly that is
taking money from the public through tax dollars or otherwise.
(38:05):
That means that they have a right to answer back
to the public as well about any operations, any conversations,
any negotiations that they're doing. The public has a right
to know. And the President Morris point there hasn't been
transparency with those individuals who are supposed to be representing
the residents, not classes, not XAI.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
So the last thing I heard in reference to this
we had to find out. We have to find out.
I think we still have to find out if whether
or not there is actual pollution or how much pollution
kermit is coming off of those turbines from the Cheby
County Health Department. And I do know that there has
been a lot of conversation and a lot of push
(38:50):
to try to get them to say something. I don't
know how long this process takes to test the air
quality and everything like that, but it seems to be
taking an inordinate amount of time to come up with
a decision one way or another is this another reason
why you know you all saying look now, time out
for this. We know we need to make sure that
(39:10):
people know we're serious about our intent to find out
what this is all about.
Speaker 4 (39:15):
We waited long enough. The questions have been asked for
over a year now, and folks dance around and say, well,
we we only have twelve turbines that are burning, but
satellite images show thirty five burning and it don't take
(39:35):
that long to get air qualis. But they haven't followed
any the standards that should be followed.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Well, you know, again, as we as we get into
all of this, there's a sixty day window here, I believe,
right an intent to to to sue. H So between
now and that sixty day period, y, what are you
all looking for? What are you expecting you know from this?
Speaker 3 (40:04):
Yeah, well, the law requires us to file the notice
of intent to sue. And so there has been some
questions from individuals like, well, why don't you just file
the lawsuit right now? This is a requirement under the
law to file a notice of intent to suit to
hopefully give Xai an opportunity to do the right thing.
So they have this is another window of opportunity for
(40:27):
them to actually, you know, do something to actually help
the health of the residents in Memphis and in South Memphis,
and if they squander that opportunity of the sixty days,
I think that it's clear that by filing a notice
of intent to sue, that we're willing to look into
(40:49):
and to pursue any legal and policy actions that are
necessary in order for us to stand with the residents
in Memphis.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
Now I'm gonna play Devil's advocate here for a second,
because one of the uh, one of the arguments I guess,
if that's what you want to call it, uh is
from people. Uh what they say, well, you know, we've
seen this. We've had this problem for a long time.
Polluted air over that part of town, the Valero factory.
You know, it's shooting off whatever it's shooting off out there.
Uh so, and folks are folks are using that as
(41:23):
a as a as a as a reason to say,
you know what, this is just something that uh that
that that has that has happened for a very very
long time. I contend that people are tired of this.
I mean, after a certain point in time, you can
only get beat over the head so much and then
it's like here we go again. Uh am, I right
about that? Curby? Does that sound about right to you?
Speaker 4 (41:44):
We are sick and tired of being okay just because
you have dumped on me before me to tell me
I'm gonna continue.
Speaker 2 (41:55):
To let you do it.
Speaker 4 (41:58):
This is bull. Our people are all right, Our children
are going to the emergency room with asthma problems. We
have the highest cancer rate in the country, and we're
gonna let some more. We just got rid of sterilized
USA because they were polluting for fifty years and nobody
(42:22):
knew about it, and we're not gonna continue. You know,
folks want to make this. Elon must fight. This is
a fight for the people, by the people to stop
getting crapped on.
Speaker 2 (42:43):
I've always embraced protests and a lot of folks are
protesting this, and a lot of folks that are really
engaged in this process, which is really what you have
to have in order to launch a successful campaign like this.
It's getting attention now only here, but it's starting to
get attention across the country as well. People are paying
attention to what is happening here. I'm clear on your intent.
(43:04):
I'm clear on what the what the end result is
that you hope to have. Uh do you see Brad
ask you this question? Do you see a lot of
people are saying that Mayor Young ought to get involved
in this some way part of this part of the
city or the county. Mayor who actually selected and appointed
(43:25):
two people to the air Pollution Control Board today, I
thought that was funny. One of them was Keith Sean Pearson,
who is a definite. Who is a definite guy. I
was like, absolutely not. And Sarah Houston, who's over to
protect our aquifer. But I'm wondering, in in adding these
two or nominating these two, is he trying to send
a message to all of this And will their nominations,
(43:50):
should they be selected to this air pollution board, will
it have enough weight? I know you'll be watching this
very carefully. A my correct.
Speaker 3 (43:58):
Yeah. I think that it's important. I mean, I think
it goes to show what President Moore was stating. You
know that this is about the pressure that the people
in the community are putting on their elected officials to
do something different, and so it's important for the individuals
who come from the community, who their voices represent, the
(44:21):
individuals who have been impacted for them to be in
those positions. Now, will that necessarily make a change right away?
Time will tell, but it is an important step in
order for there to be people from the community who
can say, no, we don't think that it's okay for
there to, for example, be thirty five gas turbines that
are operating and in our community, and that's going to
(44:43):
be okay. And so having individuals in those spaces are
really important. Is also going to be important for those
who've been elected on behalf of the residents to actually
represent the wants and needs of the community there in
the community. To President Moore's point has been stating for
the last year, they want transparency. You know, it's important.
(45:04):
This is a fight for the lives, of the health
of the residents in South Memphis. This is a fight
to ensure that we're not perpetuating environmental racism any longer,
and that that is what their job is to listen
to the will of the people and to respond accordingly.
Speaker 2 (45:22):
Well listen. We will obviously stay on top of this.
We will continue to have conversations about it because it
is very very important to a lot of folks. President
Kermit Moore of the local chapter of the NAACP Abry Connor.
Thank you both for being on the show tonight. Thank
you for imparting the truth. And we will keep a
(45:43):
very close watch on all of this and see what
happens down the road. But thank you both for coming.
I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. Last words, yes, yes, sir.
Speaker 4 (45:51):
Thursday, there is a meeting at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church
from five to seven.
Speaker 2 (45:58):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (46:01):
Xai is seeking permit from the Tennessee Department of Environmental
and Conservation for the water recycling plant. This is a
public here and all of your listeners need to show
up at Riverside Baptist Church this Thursday from five to seven.
Speaker 2 (46:21):
You just put it out there, my friend. Thank you
so much. I really appreciate that, and I appreciate the
work that you guys are doing. Thank you so much
for being on the show. And we'll keep a track
on it. Okay, I appreciate it. Thank you, Thank you guys.
Thank you so much. Well, there you go, ladies and gentlemen.
This is you know. Look, I mean, after a certain
important time, people want some satisfaction, and I think that
the noise is starting to generate enough out here to
(46:43):
where people are paying more attention to this whole issue.
We'll keep an eye on it. As we said before,
let's take a quick break. When we come back, we're
going to talk about the family and the family unit
and some training that some of you might need. This
is real Talk Memphis, some Chip, don't go away.
Speaker 5 (47:13):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion. Want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, Then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk show page and you can be a part
of the real Talk experience. So as he always says,
go out and tell somebody, We'll be right back.
Speaker 1 (47:33):
It's real.
Speaker 12 (47:35):
It's Support for WYXAR comes from Rootstock Wine Merchants, located
at six forty four Madison in the Edge District. Rootstock
is committed to bringing Memphis wines from small, independent producers
with minimal intervention. More information on Rootstock's full selection of wine,
beer and spirits and online ordering available at rootstock Memphis
(47:58):
dot com.
Speaker 5 (48:15):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
w y XR. And he's now streaming live on Facebook
and you can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just
put w y x R in the search box and
he subscribe. Now back to more Real Talk with Zim Washington's.
Speaker 2 (48:38):
It's and welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on this
warm Monday evening in the city. Chip with you. Uh
and uh, you know, our next guest works for an organization,
an outstanding organization. Uh that just helps the overall family unit.
Uh A got a child in Family Services is who
I'm speaking of. And they are going to have a
(49:00):
host a very special program. It's the Becoming One Program.
It is set to provide married couples, single individuals, and
fathers with relationship building tools and they're going to have
and they're going to do that through three upcoming free
workshops this week. Please welcome to the show. The program
(49:22):
director of this he is I heard you were a minister,
So I'm Reverend Jim Harvin Junior joins the program now
and it's great to see you. Thank you for coming
on the show tonight.
Speaker 13 (49:33):
I'm glad to be here. And everybody calls me Jim, so.
Speaker 2 (49:37):
All right, Jim, okay, well listen, you can call me Jim.
So we're good. Yeah, we're good. On that. So listen,
this is this is quite an event you have coming
up this week, three separate workshops on kind of split
with the three specific programs. One here for married couples,
another for single individuals, and another for fathers, all intent
(50:03):
to be a relation ship building exercise. Tell us a
little bit about it.
Speaker 13 (50:10):
Also, thank you. This coming Friday, starting June twenty seventh,
then Saturday June twenty eighth, and then also July of
the twelfth, we're having a relationship building workshops and it
is for married couples, it's for singles, and it's for fathers.
And we're excited about it. And one of the things
(50:32):
that we're trying to do is to help families have
healthy relationships.
Speaker 2 (50:38):
That is a very big point, and I want to
start there in terms of the family. We always hear
about it, right, We always talk about the family, the
importance of the family unit, and you know, in terms
of raising young folks and a lot of other things,
what do you hope folks get out of And I
want to break them down one by one the family
unit component of all of this.
Speaker 13 (51:01):
Well, I think one of the things is husbands and wives,
fathers and individuals will learn what a healthy relationship actually
looks like. And in fact, in some of the workshops,
they'll be able to create a vision for what is
it that I really want my family to look like,
whatever shape that it's in. This would include fathers that
(51:23):
are in the home, fathers that are none custodial dads.
They'll be able to be engaged with their kids and
then also just learn, okay, so what does it look
like in my current situation to be able to have
a healthy family. And so we are trying to reach
everybody in the reality of the way families look today.
Speaker 2 (51:44):
Yeah, I think that is that's a very very big
issue now. You know, you talk about fathers, and I've
had so many folks on this show in the past
talk about that as a as. I don't know if
it's a reason for or it's really emphasize the importance
of and you mentioned it, whether you're custodio or non custodio,
(52:05):
the role of demand, especially when they are children involved
in a healthy relationship with their children. Talk a little
bit about that.
Speaker 13 (52:13):
So it's important. And I think that for years there's
been in the system of the government, there's been this
push for in order to receive benefits. Sometimes the father
had to be outside of the home, and I think
now people have recognized that that was a mistake and
so now trying to write correct that. Then one of
(52:36):
the emphasis is one fathers are needed. Fathers matters. Fathers
are important, and so part of our role is in
this program that we have the Fatherhood Initiative, is to
honor dads and to make your dads feel that they're important,
that they're vital, and that there's no one else that
can take their place in terms of helping to raise children.
(53:01):
Mothers have a role. Fathers also have a role, and
what we're trying to do is to help of families,
even if they are not in the same household, a
bridge that gap and to be able to be there
for for both, for the children, for the family.
Speaker 2 (53:15):
You know, that's that's extraordinarily important. And everything you just
said was dead on point. Uh A lot of times
in terms of that family dynamic, if you will, Uh,
it generates from from a disagreement between the woman and
the man, and you know then that turns into you know,
something bitter and you know why I'm keep him away
(53:37):
from you or keep her away from you, or or
that kind of thing, and it really becomes a very
divisive thing, uh, for the child, as you say, and
and I think you're you're right when you say there
really is an increased importance on making people understand how
critically important uh that is regardless of whether you're in
(54:00):
the house or at the house correct, right.
Speaker 13 (54:02):
And so one of the things that I grew up
with my father in the household with me. But then
there's so many people that I encounter every day and
even as part of this work that I do with Agape,
And then you mentioned I'm a pastor, and so then
in the church, I also see where not everyone has
a father in the home, right, And so how do
we begin to encourage fathers who would love to be
(54:26):
in a relationship with their children. How do we encourage
them and bridge the gap between relationships that may not
be exactly what they need to be, whether the father
and the mother are not still in a romantic relationship,
but how do they learn to work together in order
to make sure that that child has everything that they need.
Speaker 2 (54:48):
Yeah, that's a very very big deal. Now you also
you're dealing with single individuals too. Is there a road
map that you hope that they can pick up from
this event. Yeah.
Speaker 13 (55:04):
So one thing I didn't mention is with the fathers.
So we have an evidence based curriculum and that we
are going to teach fathers tools to be in the
home and how to have those relationships and how to
navigate through some of the issues that they have. And
then also for the singles, we also have an evidence
based curriculum that we're using that we know that has
(55:26):
been proven that actually works, and it teaches a relationship
skills for individuals who are unmarried, individuals who are looking
to get married, but individuals who are not at this
moment in a relationship, are not really thinking about marriage,
but they're just learning the skills to have a health
relationship that they can use on their job, they can
(55:48):
use with their family, they can use a church, they
can just use in life in terms of this is
what a healthy relationship, This is how you communicate, This
is how you navigate in our world today. And they
have tools that they leave the workshop with and this
is how that's done.
Speaker 2 (56:05):
This is multi dimension on this is a good thing.
Before I let you go, please give folks the information
as to the wind and if they have any questions
or contact information please.
Speaker 13 (56:16):
Okay, So the wind is this coming Friday and Saturday
at the Dwelling Place in Raleigh. And the Dwelling Place
is located at thirty thirty four Old Austin Pea Highway.
That's in Raleigh, the three eight to one to two
aage zip code. It's a huge shirt the round church
as you're coming off of Austin p that's where it's located.
(56:38):
So that's where it's going to be. It's absolutely one
hundred percent free. We're even providing meals, but you do
need to register so that we can know how to
plan for you and have all the materials that's needed
for the workshops.
Speaker 2 (56:53):
Well, i'll tell you what this is. I think this
is going to be a very beneficial event for so
many people to be involved. Jim Harpy, he's the program
director over this special event. Becoming One is the program
and listen, we really appreciate your time. More importantly, we
really appreciate what you're doing to try to make people
(57:15):
better overall. Whether you're single, whether you're married, or what
have you. The job that a goape does each and
every day is a blessing. Thank you for coming on
the show tonight. I appreciate it.
Speaker 13 (57:25):
Thankank you so much. I appreciate the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (57:28):
Yes, sir, absolutely well, there you go, ladies and gentlemen.
And again, you know, the family unit is important, whether
you're together, whether you're not together. If you have a
child involved in all of this, you need to learn
how to act so you can raise a healthy, productive
young people. That's going to wrap it up for me
on this Monday evening. I hope that you enjoyed the show.
(57:49):
As Lola wraps us on out of here. I really
appreciate your time, really appreciate you being here, really appreciate
you supporting what we do each and every week. If
you like what our content is, please tell somebody about it,
tell us to give them, give us a look, give
us a listen.
Speaker 4 (58:07):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (58:07):
You know, I truly appreciate all of you who continually
support the show. The more we know, the more we growth. Okay,
so let us keep that in motion as well. So
for all of us here at Bill talking Memphis for
brand and for he it comes lovely loa, ladies and
young I see, that's the highlight of this show right there.
(58:30):
Every week, y'all know, y'all look forward to seeing low
Let the bank listen. Uh. But for all of us here,
including myself, thank you Memphis. We really appreciate your time.
We really appreciates you so between now and the next time,
and it was well, like I always like to say,
uh in the meantime in between the time. Please be safe,
please be careful, please be cautious, watch out for this heat,
(58:52):
watch out for other folks. And until next time we
are out, see you.
Speaker 1 (59:04):
Bank by time, bank, bank by time.
Speaker 9 (59:18):
Sh
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